Reaction spray dishwasher having an improved water fill system



Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,292,645

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM 8Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1964 INVENTORS Ralph $.Braden BY RobertL.Merc er Fig. /5"

The r Attorney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM FiledOct. 13, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Ra! Braden Y BY Rob L.MercerTheir Attorney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM FiledOct. 13, 1964' 8 Sheets-Sheet s L55 INVENTORS Ralph S.Braden 3 BYRobenLMercer Their Attorney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,292,545

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM FiledOct. 13, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Ralph $.Braden Robert L.MercerTheir Attorney Fig. 4 BYWKW Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL REACTIONSPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 13, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Ralph S. Braden Robert L. Mercer TheirAHorney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,292,645

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM FiledOct. 13, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS Ralph S.Braden Robert L. Mercerney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING ANIMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Oct. 13, 1964 DETERG.

INVENTORS Ralph S.Braden BY Robert L.Mercer Fig. /8

Their Attorney Dec. 20, 1966 R. s. BRADEN ETAL 3,292,645

REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVING AN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM FiledOct. 13, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 TIMER CYCLE CHART ONE COMPLETE ROTATIONALCYCLE OF 6 IMPULSES 2O 4O 5O 6O :1 OPEN I CLOSED Fig. /.9

X1 OPEN OR CLOSED INVENTORS Ralph S. Braden BY Robert L. Mercer TheirAttorney United States Patent 3,292,645 REACTION SPRAY DISHWASHER HAVINGAN IMPROVED WATER FILL SYSTEM Ralph S. Braden, Bellbrook, and Robert L.Mercer, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 13, 1964, Ser. No.403,479 9 Claims. (Cl. 134-57) This invention relates to a domesticappliance and more particularly to a dishwasher having an improved waterfill system, water distribution system, drying system and operatingcycle.

In a dishwasher, it is desirable to keep the components associated withthe water distribution system as simple and compact as possible in orderto keep the cost of the appliance at a minimum. It is also desirable toeffect a thorough distribution of the wash water during a washing cycleso that the dishes or the like being washed are thoroughly scrubbed byhigh speed jets of washing fluid. It is also desirable in dishwasherswherein the washing spray is directed toward the door for thedishwashing chamber to provide means for assuring that the waterdistribution will be inoperative when the door is open.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dishwasherwith an improved Water distribution system.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dishwasher withan improved drying system for the dishes washed.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of avertically oriented water distribution system for a dishwasher includingmeans for concealing stagnant wash fluids in the dishwasher.

A further specific object of this invention is the provision of animproved washing system for a dishwasher utilizing in combination acocked nozzle means spaced from and in functional cooperation with auniversally mounted rotatable and nutatable or wobbly baflie.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved waterfill system for a dishwasher including an inverted water pressuresensitive housing in control relationship with the water fill valve.

Another object of this invention is an improved timer controlledoperating cycle for a dishwasher including means for rapidly advancingthe dishwasher through certain portions of an operating cycle, therebyto obtain other shorter cycles of operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the dishwasher of this inventionwith parts broken away to disclose certain dispensing apparatus for usetherewith;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the dishwasher withthe dishwasher door removed to illustrate the improved waterdistribution system of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line33 in FIGURE 2 and including the dishwasher door in a closed position aswell as components of the dishwasher which are normally disposed withinthe dishwashing chamber;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the dishwasher taken alongline 4-4 in FIGURE 3 and partly in elevation to show the operatingcomponents in the dishwasher sump;

FIGURE 5 is a top elevational View of the spray tube;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spray tube taken alongline 6-6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spray tube taken alongthe line 77 of FIGURE 5 to illustrate the cocked orientation of theoutlet nozzle thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom perspective view of the water deflector;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom elevational view of the water deflector;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of the water deflector taken along line1010 in FIGURE 9 and including the means for mounting the deflector tothe top of the dishwashing chamber for universal movement;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view of the deflector taken along line 11-11 inFIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of the deflector taken along the line 1212in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 13 is a schematic panoramic view of the deflector showing thecompletely unsymmetrical formation of the deflector pockets;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary front sectional view of the dishwashershowing the water fill arrangement therefor and with the fill tube shownoutside the dishwasher for clarity;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation of thedrying system of this invention;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary front elevational view taken along line 16 inFIGURE 15 and showing the drying air grille;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1717 inFIGURE 15;

FIGURE 18 is a schematic wiring diagram suitable for a use with thedishwasher of this invention; and

FIGURE 19 is a timer cycle chart showing the functional relationships ofthe timer switches in FIGURE 18 in accordance with the improvedoperating cycle of this invention.

General In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE1, an improved dishwasher 50 is illustrated generally. The dishwasher 50is comprised of easing means 52 defining a dishwashing chamber 54 closedat the front thereof by a dishwasher door 56 and having at the bottomthereof a depressed sump 58 leading to a pump and motor assembly 60 ofthe type taught in the commonly assigned copending application, Ser. No.341,209, filed January 30, 1964. The pump and motor assembly isconnected to the sump 58 by means of a novel mounting arrangement taughtin the commonly assigned concurrently filed 'copending application, Ser.No. 403,480. In general, the dishwasher 50 may be adapted with aseparate top or wood chopping block 62 when the appliance is port-ableor for installation under a counter wherein the top 62 would represent aportion of the counter top.

In general, and with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, the Waterdistribution system includes a revoluble spray arm 64 beneath the lowerrack 66 and a rotating spray column or spray tube 68 affixed to saidspray arm and extending upwardly through a guard portion 70 of the lower:rack permits the removal of the lower rack from the dishwashingchamber. The spray tube has a cocked nozzle portion 10 having an outlet72 aimed through an open passageway 74 formed by a central wire network'on an upper dish rack 76. The jet stream from the nozzle 72 is aimed ata rotatable and freely mutating swirl spray impeller or wobble platewater deflector 78 above the upper rack 76. A reversible motor 61 in thepump and motor assembly 60 directly drives an axial flow pump I in onedirection in accordance with the aforementioned copending applicationSer. No. 341,209 to recirculate the water for washing or rinsing, and,when reversed pumps the water to drain. A l0O0-watt (115 volt) heaterelement 80 is periodically energized throughout the operating cycle toprovide recovery heat to the wash and rinse 3 water and for adding heatto the dishwashing chamber for the drying cycle. A blower fan 82 blowsair from a grille 84 substantially in line with the heater 80 forblowing moisture laden air from the dishwashing chamber 54 during thedrying cycle through a vent duct 86 in the door 56.

Various dispensers are periodically energized throughout the dishwashingcycle for providing desired washing or rinsing agents at etfectivepoints in the operating cycle represented in the timer cycle chart ofFIGURE 19. For instance, and with reference to FIGURE 1, a detergentdispenser 92 of the type taught in the patent to Barbulesco et al.3,126,131, issued March 24, 1964, includes a perforated cover throughwhich detergent is gradually flushed during a first wash and anothercover which is energizable for opening to dispense a second quantity ofdetergent during a second wash. A water conditioner dispenser 94 of thetype taught in the copending application, Ser. No. 403,480, filedconcurrently herewith and assigned to the same assignee a thisinvention, automatically dispenses a wetting agent or surfactant intothe final rinse cycle.

The following components provide for the safe operation of thedishwasher 50. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 18, a door switch 96stops all washing, rinsing, draining heating and/ or filling operationswhenever a door latch 100 is in the unlatched position. So that theswitch 96 may not be closed while the dishwasher door is open, the latch100 may be of the type taught in the patent to Jacobs et a1. 3,007,479,issued November 7, 1961. As a guard against flooding, a pressureactuated fill safety switch 102 automatically opens the electricalcircuit to a fill valve solenoid 104 in the event the water level in thetub is above normal. The switch 102 automatically closes itself when theoverfill condition has been eliminated. The motor 61 is protected withan overload protector switch 106 which automatically opens theelectrical circuit to the motor windings in the event an overloadcondition should exist. The protector 106 is selfresetting after severalminutes.

Construction With reference now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the wash tank ordishwashing chamber 54 is comprised of a Welded assembly of steel panels110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 which give a sturdy framework for mountingthe other components of the dishwasher thereon. The entire steelassembly is preparatory phosphate treated and prime coat treated toprevent corrosion. The interior surfaces of the dishwashing chamber 54have a finish coating of blue vinyl organisol to provide a tough durablelasting finish. The panels 110, 112, 114 and 116 define a front opening120 to the dishwashing chamber in which a seal 122 is positioned forengagement by the top and two sides of the dishwasher door 56. The areason the outside of the dishwashing chamber which are adjacent to theopenings for the tub vent 86 and the fill funnel 128 are also finishcoated with blue vinyl organisol.

With reference to FIGURE 14, the fill funnel assembly 126 is comprisedof a bakelite fill funnel 128 and a bakelite cover 130 which arecemented together to prevent water leakage through the sidewall 112 ofthe dishwashing chambera gasket 132 between the wall 112 and the cover130 serving this purpose. A fill tube clamp 134 on the top of the fillfunnel 128 holds the fill tube 136 a spaced distance from the funnel 128thereby to provide a one-inch air gap, in accordance with conventionalplumbing codes, to prevent back up of wash water from the dishwater intothe domestic water supply system. The fill tube 136 is connected to avalve 138 operated by the fill solenoid 104, which is, in turn,energized selectively bythe pressure switch 102.

The door assembly 56 (FIGURES 1 and 3) has an outer door panel 140 whichis spray painted with enamel, and an inner door panel 142 which ispreparatory phos phate treated, prime and finish coated with blue vinyl100. Absorbent material (not shown) is cemented at the areas of thehandle 146 where condensation from the door vent assembly 86 may occur,thereby to prevent condensation on the metal parts of the door. Attachedto the inner door panel 142 are the door vent assembly 86,

detergent dispenser 92, water conditioner dispenser 94,

door latch assembly 100 and the door switch assembly 96. The door 56opens downwardly approximately from its vertical closed position and hasconnected thereto a counterbalance spring (not shown) which hooks on tothe inside end of each of the door hinges 150, 152

(FIGURE 2) in accordance with conventional practice;

The door vent assembly 86 is mounted to the upper left-hand corner ofthe inner door panel 142. When. installed, the door vent extendsvertically upwardly be-' tween the inner and upper door panels with theair being vented from the dishwashing chamber 54 from under the handle146 of the control panel escutcheon 144.

In general, the door latch assembly serves the two functions of lockingthe door 56 shut an operating cycle and of operating the door switchdepending on whether the door is open or closed. When the door 56 isopen, the switch 96 cannot be operated and when the door is closed andthe latch handle is swung to lockthe door shut, a portion of the latchmechanism 100 engages the door switch such that the electrical contactson the door switch 96 become closed.

A lower front panel 156 is removable for easy access to the motorcompartment 158. Sound deadening insulation 160 can be cemented to theback of the access panel as well as to other panels defining thedishwashvinyl. Each rack has Nylon rollers, such as 166, riveted inplace to allow easy movement of the racks in and out of the dishwashingchamber during loading and unloadingthereof. The Nylon rollers glide onstainless steel guides, such as 168, for the lower rack and extensionguides, such as 169, for the upper rack which are screw fastened to thesidewalls of the washing chamber as at '(FIGURE 2). The center frontarea of the lower rack 66 is arranged to carry the separate silverwarebasket 162 which includes inverted U-shaped handles 172 at each endthereof for convenience in handling. The basket 162 may be divided intofifteen sections for separating the silverware being washed.

Water distribution system The water distribution system of thisinvention for washing and rinsing can best be understood with referenceto FIGURES 2 and 3. Note that the lower horizontal spray arm 64 includesa downwardly opening inlet 174 which circumscribes the top of an axialflow pump housing 176 of the pump and motor assembly taught in theaforementioned copending application Ser. No. 341,- 209. Above theopening 174, the lower spray arm has a plate 178 attached thereto andincluding four ports 180 arranged circumferentially thereabout andplacing the interior of the spray arm 64 in communication with theinterior of the spray tube 68. A square shanked bearing 182 indexes witha square opening in the spray arm plate 178 and is retained at the topof a spindle 184 on the pump and motor assembly 60 by a nut 186. Whenthe pump is operating to supply water to the interior of ing 182, someof the water being pumped entering the interior of the spray tube 68through the plate ports 180.

With water being supplied to the spray arm 64 and with reference toFIGURE 2 the substantially illustrated spray pattern will result. Moreparticularly, the horizontal spray arm 64 includes reaction ports 190,192 for causing the arm 64 and the attached spray tube 68 to rotate.Nonreaction type ports 194, 196 and 198 in the spray arm, andnonreaction ports 200, 202, 204 and 206 in the spray tube will providejets of Washing fluid in a spray pattern substantially as shown. Notethat the spray tube 68 is formed with an enlarged or bulbous housingportion 208 at the top thereof in which the ports 202, 204 and 206 arepositioned. Moreover and with reference to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, thehousing 208 is formed in a central portion thereof with a nozzle means210 cocked at an angle to the vertical axis of the spray tube 68 andaimed through the guard 74 in the top rack 76 at the rotatable waterbaflie or deflector 78 on the top wall 114 of the dishwasher. As thespray tube rotates, the jet of water issuing from the outlet 72 of thenozzles 210 will trace a path around the deflector and spaced from thecenter thereof.

The deflector 78 and the mounting thereof comprise an important part ofthis invention and will be described more particularly with reference toFIGURES 8-13. The deflector 78 is a round molded plastic part having abearing 216 press fit in the center thereof and including a plurality ofcompletely differently shaped concave pockets 218, 220, 222, 224, 226and 228. The shape of the deflector 78 leaves a cavity 230 between thetop wall 114 of the dishwashing chamber and the deflector and for thisreason weep holes 232, 234 are left in the casting to drain any waterwhich gets trapped above the deflector. FIG- URE 13 schematicallyemphasizes the complete lack of symmetry between the pockets. Thus, thespray pattern issuing from the peripheral edges of each of the pocketsis different.

The novel spray pattern of this invention is particularly enhanced by anovel mounting arrangement of the deflector 78, a wobbly mounting whichis completely lacking in the prior art dishwashers. More particularlyand with reference to FIGURE 10, the deflector 78 is carried on anadapter 236 fastened as at 238 to the top wall of the dishwashingchamber. The adapter 236 has a reduced diameter spindle section 240which is smaller than the interior diameter of the bearing 216 so thatthe deflector 78 can rock, wobble or undulate on the stub shaft orspindle 240 as it rotates thereabout in response to the impingementthereon of the jet of water from the cocked nozzle outlet 72. Thiscombination of undulation or non-uniform wobbling plus completelyvariable swirl inducing pockets creates a spray pattern which issubstantially nonrepeatable.

Now returning to FIGURE 2, the lower spray arm 64 is shown to includethe reaction ports 190 and 192 which effect the rotation of the sprayarm and the spray tube attached thereto as well as providing an obliquespray directed toward the bottom of the lower rack 66. Further, thevertically directed ports 194, 196 and 198 of the lower spray arm directtheir jets of washing fluids directly upwardly into the bottom of thelower rack 66 while the port 200 in the spray tube essentially supplieswater from a point within the center of the lower rack. The top of thespray tube 68 is positioned between the upper and lower racks in amanner whereby the spray port 202 sprays downwardly on the lower rack 66while the ports 204 and 206 spray upwardly and outwardly on the upperrack 76. The top of the upper rack 76 is completely washed by the spraypattern created by the jet of water from the cocked nozzle 210 aimedthrough the guard 74 toward the universally mounted water deflector 78which undulates between a representative solid line position A tophantom line position B (FIGURE 2).

. ing a particular cycle for the dishwasher.

6 Operation The operation of the dishwasher will best be understood withreference to FIGURES 18 and 19. The door interlock switch 96 is a singlepole, single throw type which controls power supply to all of theelectrically operated components in the dishwasher. The internalcontacts of the switch 96 are spring loaded so that the contacts open asthe force on the switch actuator is removed when the latch mechanism 100is moved into an unlatched position.

A timer 250 programs the squence of operation for all dishwashingcycles. Its automatic advance is accomplished by an electric timer motor252 which, through an escapement mechanism, sequentially operates aplurality of timer switches by means of a cam actuated timer shaft254the motor 252 incrementally advancing the cycle in sixty-secondintervals.

Occasionally, it is desired to advance the dishwasher through certain ofits functions while retaining other functions. For this purpose, anadditional rapid advance timer motor 256 cooperates with the cam shaft254 to advance the shaft at a rate of three seconds for each incrementof regular advancement. In other words, during normal automatic timeradvance, each incremental advancement takes sixty seconds, while onrapid advance, each incremental advancement takes place every threeseconds. Irrespective of which motor 252 or 256 is driving the cam shaft254, the timer contacts 2-4, 6, 8-18 and 20-24 will be opened and closedin accordance with the timer cycle chart of FIGURE 19.

Although FIGURE 19 is representative of the switch operation in thetimer, the following sequence notes apply to the design of the timer250. At timer increment or im pulse line 1, contact 18 must open beforecontact 9 closes. At timer interval line 2, contact 15 must close beforecontact 13 opens. At timer interval line 10, contact 9 must open beforecontact 18 closes. The timer interval line 60, cont-act 15 must openbefore contact 17 closes, but contact 17 must close before contact 16opens at timer interval line 1. Also at timer interval line 60, contact16 must close. In accordance with the rapid advance concepts embodied inthe dashwasher timer of this invention, the timer must stop at timerinterval lines 11 and 58 following rapid advance through contacts 20 or22. Further, the timer must stop at time interval line 11 followingrapid advance through contact 24.

A push button users control 260 is provided for select- Moreparticularly, the cycles are identified on the respective push buttons262 (Regular Wash), 264 (Light Wash), 266 (Pots and Pans), 268 (Rinseand Hold), 270 (Cancel for those situations where you want to cancel anyof the previous push buttons selected) and a signal light 272 whichindicates whether or not the dishwasher is in operation. The push buttoncycle selector 260 includes a switch 274 which is closed momentarily toenergize a holding coil 276 whenever any of the push buttons 262, 264,or 268 are pushed. A switch 278 is closed whenever the push button 264is selected; a switch 280 is closed whenever the push button 268 isselected; a switch 282 is closed whenever the push button 270 isselected; and a switch 284 is closed whenever the push button 262 isclosed. When the Pots and Pans switch 266 is selected, a linkage 286connected thereto serves to close switch 284, move a switch 288 to itsopposite contact, and open a switch 290.

With the foregoing circuitry, the fill valve 104 is electricallyoperated to allow hot water to enter the dishwashing chamber for anywash or rinse cycle. During the two minutes of flow, a flow washer inthe valve 138 will allow 2.7 gallons of water into the sump 58 of thewasher. When the water reaches a proper level 292 in the sump, a waterlevel 294 will exist in the inverted pressure sensing housing 296 whichcreates a pressure within the housing which is reflected at the pressureswitch 102 for deenergizing the solenoid 104. In the event of an overcharge of water in the sump, a fill safety switch 102 will operate toopen the circuit of the solenoid 104, thereby stopping the flow ofadditional water. Interconnecting the pressure switch 102 and theinverted housing 296 is a rubber hose 298 routed in high loop fashionalong the side of the dishwasher sump. The housing 296 extending into arecess 300 in the side of the sump 58 acts as a cavity area to trap air.When the water level rises high enough to create 2.6 inches water columnpressure (about four gallons), the pressure is transmitted through therubber hose 298 to the pressure sensitive diaphragm 302 of the fillsafety switch for opening the contacts thereof. When the water level isreduced to a level whereby only .4 inch of water column air pressure(minimum) is sensed by the diaphragm of the fill safety switch (aboutthree gallons), the diaphragm allows the pressure switch to again close,thus allowing the fill valve to become energized for successive fillcycles.

Whenever the pump motor 61 is started through the energization of therelay coil 310, water will be pumped through the pump outlet 176 intothe interior of the lower spray arm 64. The force of the water againstthe under side of the plate 178 will lift the spray arm off the pumphousing, the relative shifting of adjacent wall portions self cleaningaway any debris which might exist in the opening 174 between the sprayarm 64 and the pump housing 176 which could bind up the spray arm. Thenthe reaction effect of the .water spray from ports 190 and 192 willcause the water distributing means, including the spray arm 64 and thespray tube 68, to rotate. Water pressure will fill the interior of thespray arm 64 and the spray tube 68 substantially equally throughout sothat a dish covering spray will issue from the spray arm ports 194, 196and 198 directed upwardly over the dishes in the bottom rack 66. This isin addition to the spray cleansing force of the spray from the reactionports 190 and 192. At the same time, a spray jet issuing from the port200 on the spray tube will be directed toward the dishes in a lower rackfrom a more central position. The spray pattern afforded by the housing208 on the top of the spray tube will spray down on the dishes in thelower rack from the spray port 202 and will spray upwardly on the bottomof the upper rack 76 by means of spray ports 204 and 206. In order tospray the dishes in the upper rack from above, the cocked nozzle outlet72 is aimed toward a radially outer portion of the water deflector orbaflle 78. As the jet traces a circular path around the axis of thedeflector 78, the force of the jet will cause the deflector to rotate aswell as wobble due to the sloppy fit of the pivot pin 240 in thedeflector. As the deflector wobbles or nutates in response to the actionof the jet, the spray will be returned to the top of the upper dish rack76 in an ever changing nonrepeatable spray pattern.

As aforesaid, the inlet 174 of the spray arm 64 loosely overfits the topof the pump housing. Thus, a cylindrical curtain of water issuesdownwardly from this annular slot. If the curtain of water were allowedto persist, the water flowing toward the inlet to the pump would beretarded by the force of the water curtain and the pump would tend to bestarved for water. For this reason, a deflector or sump water cover 312is carried on a shoulder 314 of the pump outlet to deflect the curtainof water coming out of the space between the spray arm inlet and thepump housing. The deflecting means 312 may have flow straighteners 316thereon and a cutout portion 318 for retrieving any lost items which mayget under the cover 312. Note that the cover is slidably rotatable onthe shoulder 314 of the pump housing, but note further that the solidportion of the cover is intended to face the opening to the dishwashingchamber as a means for concealing any stagnant water which may exist inthe dishwasher sump.

After a plurality of wash and rinse cycles in the dishwashing chamber,the soiled water is pumped from the of the front vent 86 in thedishwasher door.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, casing means defining a dishwashing chamber having asump, means for supplying water to said sump including a pressuresensitive means in said sump for controlling the supply of said water,means for concealing the water in said sump, and means for distributingsaid water in said chamber for washing dishes or the like, saiddistributing means including rotatable horizontal spray arm means havingan inlet opening overlying said water concealing means and a spray portfacing upwardly in said chamber, a vertical spray tube attached to saidspray arm for rotation therewith and extending upwardly to a centralpart of said chamber, said spray tube including a hollow columnconnected to said spray arm.

and in communication with the inlet thereof, said column having a sprayport in a lower portion of the side thereof facing sidewardly and havinga bulbous hollow spray header on the top thereof having a spray port inthe bottom thereof facing downwardly and three ports in the top thereoffacing upwardly and outwardly, one of said ports comprising a nozzlehaving an axis at an angle to the axis of said hollow column, deflectormeans on the top of said chamber having a plurality of downwardly facingpockets at least one of which is in alignment with the axis of saidnozzle and configured reactingly to rotate said deflector means inresponse to the impingement thereonof a jet of water from said nozzle,and means for ro tatably and universally supporting said deflector meanswhereby said deflector means wobbles as it rotates in response to saidjet.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensitive meansincludes an inverted housing means in said sump having a bottom openingin communication with said sump, the water level in said housing meansabove said bottom opening being lower than the water level in saidsumpand rising and falling in response to the water level in said sump.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a vertically oriented pumpoutlet means extending into the inlet of said horizontal spray arm meansand including a spindle for journaling said water distributing meanswhen water is being supplied through said pump outlet means, said pumpoutlet means being spaced from the edges of said inlet to permit limitedvertical movement of said spray arm means, the concealing means for saidsump water having means in vertical alignment with the space betweensaid pump outlet means and said spray arm inlet to deflect Water issuingfrom said space when water is being supplied through said pump outlet.

4. In combination, casing means defining a dish-washing chamber having asump adapted to contain water and means in communication with said sumpfor distributing said water in said chamber for washing dishes or thelike, said distributing means including rotatable horizontal spray armmeans having an. inlet opening facing downwardly and a spray port facingupwardly in said chamber,

a vertical spray tube attached to said spray arm for rotation therewithand extending upwardly to a central part of said chamber, said spraytube including a hollow column connected to said spray arm and incommunication with the inlet thereof, said column having a spray port ina lower portion of the side thereof facing side wardly and having ahollow spray header on the top thereof with a spray port in the bottomthereof facing downwardly and a port in the top thereof facing upwardlyand outwardly, said last named port comprising a nozzle having an axisat an angle to the axis of said hollow column, deflector means abovesaid nozzle having a plurality of downwardly facing pockets at least oneof which is in alignment with the axis of said nozzle and configuredreactingly to rotate said deflector means in response to the impingementthereon of a jet of water distributed from said nozzle, and means forrotatably and universally supporting said deflector means whereby saiddeflector means wobbles as it rotates in response to said jet.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said Water distributing meansincludes a vertically oriented pump outlet means extending into theinlet of said horizontal spray arm means and including a spindle forjournaling said water distributing means when water is being suppliedthrough said pump outlet means, said pump outlet means being spaced fromsaid inlet to permit limited vertical movement of said spray arm means.

6. The combination of claim 4 including a cover for concealing water insaid sump and wherein said water distributing means includes avertically oriented pump outlet means extending into the inlet of saidhorizontal spray arm means above said cover and including means forjournaling said Water distributing means when water is being suppliedthrough said pump outlet means, said pump outlet means being spaced fromsaid inlet to permit limited vertical movement of said spray arm means,said cover for concealing said sump water having means in verticalalignment with the space between said pump outlet means and said sprayarm inlet to deflect water issuing from said space when water is beingsupplied through said pump outlet.

7. In combination with means forming a water distribution chamber, meansfor supplying water to said chamber, and means for controlling thesupply means, said control means including a pressure sensitive means insaid chamber comprising an inverted housing means having a downwardlyfacing lower opening in said chamber and configured in a manner to trapair in an upper portion thereof, the pressure of the air trapped in saidinverted housing varying in response to the level of water in saidchamber, the level of water in said housing means being different thanthe level of water in said chamber.

8. In combination, casing means. defining a chamber having a sumpadapted to contain water or the like and means in communication withsaid sump for distributing said water or the like in said chamber forwashing dishes or the like, said distributing means including spraymeans rotatable about an axis in said chamber and having a spray port,said spray port comprising a nozzle having an axis at an angle to theaxis of said spray means, deflector means having a pocket facing saidnozzle and in alignment with the axis of said nozzle and configuredreactingly to rotate said deflect-or means in response to theimpingement thereon of a jet of water distributed from said nozzle, andmeans for rotatably and universally supporting said deflector meanswhereby said deflector means wobbles as it rotates in response to saidjet.

9. In combination with a dishwashing chamber having a sump in the bottomthereof adapted to contain a washing fluid, vertically oriented pumpmeans having housing means extending into said sump, said housing meanshaving upper and lower portions, spray arm means rotatably mountedrelative to said upper portion a spaced distance therefrom for freelyrotating to distribute said washing fluid in said chamber and formingwith said upper portion by the spaced distance an opening incommunication with washing fluid being distributed from said upperportion of said pump housing means, and cover means on said pump meansbetween said upper and lower portions for concealing stagnant washingfluid in said sump when said washing fluid is not being distributed andaligned with said opening for diverting washing fluid issuing from saidopening when said washing fluid is being distributed for preventing saidlower portion of said pump housing means from being starved for washingfluid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCESFrigidaire Service Tech-Talk, volume IX No. 2A,

April 1958, pages DW3'1, DW-32 and DW-53 relied on.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

S. E. BECK, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, CASING MEANS DEFINING A DISHWASHING CHAMBER HAVING ASUMP, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID SUMP INCLUDING A PRESSURESENSITIVE MEANS IN SAID SUMP FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF SAID WATE,MEANS FOR CONCEALING THE WATER IN SAID SUMP, AND MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTINGSAID WATER IN SAID CHAMBER FOR WASHING DISHES OR THE LIKE, SAIDDISTRIBUTING MEANS INCLUDING ROTATABLE HORIZONTAL SPRAY ARM MEANS HAVINGAN INLET OPENING OVERLYING SAID WATER CONCEALING MEANS AND A SPRAY PORTFACING UPWARDLY IN SAID CHAMBER, A VERTICAL SPRAY TUBE ATTACHED TO SAIDSPRAY ARM FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY TO A CENTRALPART OF SAID CHAMBER, SAID SPRAY TUBE INCLUDING A HOLLOW COLUMNCONNECTED TO SAID SPRAY ARM AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INLET THEREOF,SAID COLUMN HAVING A SPRAY PORT IN A LOWER PORTION OF THE SIDE THEREOFFACING SIDEWARDLY AND HAVING A BULBOUS HOLLOW SPRAY HEADER ON THE TOPTHEREOF HAVING A SPRAY PORT IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF FACING DOWNWARDLY ANDTHREE PORTS IN THE TOP THEREOF FACING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY, ONE OFSAID PORTS COMPRISING A NOZZLE HAVING AN AXIS AT AN ANGLE TO THE AXIS OFSAID HOLLOW COLUMN, DEFLECTOR MEANS ON THE TOP OF SAID CHAMBER HAVING APLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY FACING POCKETS AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS INALIGNMENT WITH THE AXIS OF SAID NOZZLE AND CONFIGURED REACTINGLY TOROTATE SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS IN RESPONSE TO THE IMPINGEMENT THEREON OF AJET OF WATER FROM SAID NOZZLE, AND MEANS FOR ROTATABLY AND UNIVERSALLYSUPPORTING SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS WHEREBY SAID DEFLECTOR MEANS WOBBLES ASIT ROTATES IN RESPONSE TO SAID JET.